AB1005 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF GARCINIA KOLA (CLUSIACEAE) IN KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: A PILOT STUDY
Authors: F. Kemta Lekpa, A. Happi Monthe, H. Namme Luma, S. P. Choukem, M. Ngandeu-Singwe
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2022)

Background Administration of supplements to strengthen the joint cartilage matrix have become popular not only for pain relief but also for joint preservation. Reports have suggested anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Garcinia kola (GK) extracts in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) 1,2 . Objectives To evaluate the non-inferiority of GK compared to Diclofenac in patients with KOA. Methods Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial (1:1) in outpatients aged 18 to 70 years followed at the Douala General Hospital, Cameroon for KOA with Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥ 2. Patients with pain on the visual analog scale (VAS) &gt; 5 and who had not taken non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids in the previous 15 days were included. Paracetamol, tramadol, and codeine were accepted as analgesics. The trial was approved by the institutional ethics committee. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Garcinia kola (400 mg/12hours per os ) and Diclofenac (50 mg/8hours per os ). The primary endpoint was the per-protocol change in ultrasensitive CRP (CRP us ) measured at D0 and D15. Secondary endpoints were the decrease in VAS pain with clinical relevance if decrease ≥ 20%, and safety. Statistical significance was set at p&lt;0.05. Results Forty-seven patients (33 women) were randomized (GK, n = 24 and Diclofenac, n = 23). There were no differences ( p &gt; 0.05) in sociodemographic, clinical, and radiographic characteristics between the two groups [Table 2]. Between D0 and D15, there was no difference in CRP us variation between patients in the GK and Diclofenac groups (p &gt; 0.05) [Table 2]. The same was true for pain VAS (p &gt; 0.05), with an effect considered clinically relevant. Adverse events were mild to moderate in severity, including 2 cases of epigastralgia (Diclofenac) and 3 cases of increased libido (GK). No significant changes in seric level of liver transaminases, creatinine, and fasting blood sugar were observed. Table 1. Main baseline patient characteristics Variables Garcinia kola , n = 24 Diclofenac, n = 23 Age, years 57 ± 12 58 ± 11 Female gender, n (%) 19 (79.1) 17 (73.9) BMI, Kg/m2 27 ± 10 27 ± 12 Duration of osteoarthritis, years 4 ± 2 4 ± 1 Kellgren-Lawrence ≥ 2, n (%) 20 (83.3) 20 (86.9) VAS pain, mm, mean 72 ± 17 70 ± 15 CRPus, mg/L 4.8 ± 0.7 4.2 ± 0.5 Table 2. Assessment of the evaluation criteria: CRP us and VAS pain Garcinia kola (G.K) Diclofenac CRP us * Day 0 4.8 4.2 Day 15 3.1 2.6 Variation, n (%) -1.7 (35,4) -1.6 (38,1) p -Value p = 0.003 p &lt; 0.001 VAS pain** Day 0 72 70 Day 15 54 53 Variation, n (%) -1.8 (25.0) -1.7 (24.3) p-Value p &lt; 0.001 p &lt; 0.001 *GK vs . Diclofenac: p &gt; 0.05; **GK vs . Diclofenac: p &gt; 0.05 Conclusion Garcinia kola (GK) was non-inferior to Diclofenac in reducing CRP us and VAS pain in patients with KOA. The safety was good. GK would be a promising alternative to explore in the future management of osteoarthritis. References [1]Adegbehingbe OO, et al. J Orthop Surg Res. 2008; 3:34. [2]Olaleye SB, et al. Afr J Biomed Res. 2000; 3: 171-4. Acknowledgements We are grateful to all the patients who consented to be included in this pilot study. Disclosure of Interests None declared